Rangers’ parting of ways with Mark Warburton was not wholly surprising, but the manner in which it came about was. Results had been poor at Ibrox, but there was a feeling that he would be given the cup match vs. Greenock Morton as one last roll of the dice, but action was taken and now the Gers have caretaker Graeme Murty in charge now.

This is likely a short-term measure, with the Glasgow club’s ultimate ambition being to reel in old rivals Celtic at the top of the Premiership tree over the coming years, for which they might well need a manager of a similar calibre to Brendan Rodgers.

Even though Hoops fans may not want to admit it, there’s sure to be a niggling voice of worry at the back of their minds regarding the Rangers situation. Their Old Form enemies might be some way behind them at the moment, but there’s every chance that, given their status and size, they will improve to the point they could seriously threaten the green and white domination of the Premiership with the right managerial appointment.

We asked Bhoys supporters to tell us which Warburton replacements they fear most, and here are the top FIVE…

5) Alan Pardew

Britain Football Soccer - Crystal Palace v Chelsea - Premier League - Selhurst Park - 17/12/16 Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew before the game Action Images via Reuters / Tony O'Brien Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further de

He may be seen as a bit of a comedy figure by some, but Celtic fans are somewhat fearful of the, albeit slim, possibility of Pardew heading to Ibrox. ‘Pardiola’ is currently out of work after being relieved of his duties at Crystal Palace just before Christmas and has shown in the past that he can overachieve with a group of players that are, perhaps, not quite up to the standards of their rivals, as he did with Newcastle in 2011/12, which is what he would have to do at Ibrox to reel in Celtic. A high-profile name, Pardew could be a catalyst for progress at Rangers.

4) Graeme Murty

Reports from The Sun claim that Murty will stay in charge of Gers until after the next Old Firm Derby clash in March, and it seems that Boys fans don’t want him around much longer than that. The caretaker boss’ reign thus far hasn’t been excellent with a 2-1 loss at Dundee on the weekend just gone a low point, but he knows the club and could be the man to steady the ship in a difficult time.

3) Derek McInnes

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Now we’re getting to the serious candidates, and Dons boss McInnes is widely seen as one of the best in Scottish football. In Rangers’ top-flight absence the 45-year-old made Aberdeen the second best side in the Premiership (which they still are, despite the Gers’ return) and there seems to be a genuine fear that with a bigger club he could do more than just hang onto the Bhoys’ coat tails. With Scottish football know-how and motivation to succeed, McInnes looks to be a good option.

2) Alex McLeish

Critics will say re-appointing McLeish would be a backwards step, but the former Gers boss knows the club well and his uncompromising attitude could be what’s needed in an uncertain time at Ibrox. The 58-year-old’s recent managerial record is patchy – he struggled in Egypt with Zamalek – yet memories of him lifting the Scottish title seem to be sticking in Celtic fans’ minds.

1) Frank de Boer

The dream choice for the majority of Rangers fans is De Boer. The Dutchman, who spent a short stint in the blue shirt during his playing days, has been impressive since moving from being on the pitch to in the dugout, winning four Eredivisie titles at Ajax before being given the Inter Milan job. Granted, his stint in Serie A was short lived, but the 46-year-old would bring a real feel-good factor to Ibrox, and the narrative of having two progressive, modern coaches either side of the Old Firm divide might just revive the Glasgow rivalry and push the Bears on.

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